Container seams



Jan. 2, 1962 J. w. EVERETT ETL 3,915,410

CONTAINER SEAMS Filed Sept. 12, 1958 2 Shees--Sheei'I 1 (lo/7n Uf. fuere ffcmd' ardor? C'. muffafy "4. ORNEY Jan. 2, 1962 J. w. Evl-:RETT ETAL CONTAINER SEAMS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. l2, 1958 /asll INVENTORS (/o /77 Euere 7'7am2 Gordon C. 'u'rrafy ATTORNEY Illy! rIII",

ment of vthe container.

United States Patent O Filed'Sept. 12, 1958, Ser. No. 760,664 2 Claims. (Cl. 220-63) The present invention relates to an improved seam for metal containers which has incorporated therewith a Vdiaphragm either in the form of a plastic end closure, or a plastic flexible bag. The materials from which these diaphragms are constructed are of a formable and benda- -ble non-elastic organic plastic composition, and are retained in the seam at the end of the container body between the container body and a metallic end member. This metallic end member is in the form of a metal ring when the container is provided with the plastic end closure. When the container is provided with a bag, the metal end member becomes the end closure as the kbag extends inwardly into the container body from the end seam of the container, the contents carried by the container are within the bag whereby, the metal end mem ber acts as a cover for the open end of the bag.

The plastic end closures are usually transparent and are used for the purpose of viewing the contents of the sealed container.

"In most cases the container must be hermetically sealed, because of the nature of the contents carried, and in the case of pressure containers for the additional purpose of preventing the loss of the impelling gas used in forcing the contents out of the container.

There are relatively few known plastic materials suitable for making these diaphragrns. The material must be comparatively inexpensive as the containers are discarded after the contents have been used. The material must also be substantially non-porous and impervious to gas and it must be adapted to be rolled within the seam formed at the end of the container between the container body and the metallic end member.

There .is at least one known plastic material suitable for forming these diaphragms. It is manufactured and sold under the trade name of Mylar and is produced by the E. I. DuPont de Nemours & Company, Inc. of Wilmington, Delaware. This material is so compact in itsstructure that when it has herebefore been rolled into the seam of a container, .without protection, in which there is any uneveness in the surfaces of the container or the'metal end member in the seam area against which the plastic material is in contact and under high pressure provided by the seaming rolls, the material has a tendency to rupture, allowing in case of the bag, the impel- -linggas to escape from the container or, allow the gas to escape into the adjoining material containing compart- Or in the case of the plastic end down a defective seam will allow outside air to seep into the container causing the contents, in many cases, to become contaminated with bacteria etc. It is with this rupturingof the plastic diaphragm when it is rolled into theseam of the container body with the end member, ythat this patent is concerned.

The ninvention resides in the novel features herein set forth which will appear vmore clearly yas the description proceeds and -which is also illustrated in the accompanying drawings and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

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of the outer hanged edge of the bag diaphragm before it is rolled into a seam showing the metal ange of the container body, and the flanged edge, lor rim of the metal end member positioned on each side of the flange of the diaphragm.

FIGURE 3 is la fragmentary view in elevation of a diaphragm in the formof a exible bag, on 'a reduced scale.

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of a modied form of the diaphragm.

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View of la seam between the container'body, and -end member including therebetween a plastic diaphragm in the form of yan end closure for the container.

FIGURE 6 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the outer edge of the plastic diaphragm used as a top for the container before it is rolled into a seam with `the ange of the container body and the outer edge, or rim of the metal end member positioned on each side of the liange of the diaphragm.

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of the transparent end member shown in FIGURES 5 and 6.

FIGURE 8 is a plan view of the transparent end member shown in FIGURE 7, including the-metal end element superimposed thereon.

In referring to the drawings like numerals are used to designate like and similar parts throughout the several views.

In general the seams are the same for both types of plastic diaphragms. One form being the flexible bag 12 as shown in FIGURES l to 4 Aand the other form being the transparent end member 2'5 for the container, as shown in FIGURES 5 to 8. However, it -is not intended to limit the invention to the organic plastic material being transparent.

Referring rst to FIGURES 1 to 3 inclusive, the construction is shown for the seam of a diaphragm in the form of a flexible plastic bag 12 with a container body 10 of rigid bendable material preferably of metal and an end member 14 of rigid bendable material preferably of metal.

The metal container body 10 is preferably tubular in shape having its ends flared outwardly as shown at 10' in FIGURE 2 and rolled into a seam with the metal end member 14, which 'also is provided with a flange or rim, as shown at 14' in FIGURE 2, which extends'over the iiange of the container body when placed thereon, and will be referred to more specifically hereinafter. The metallic end member 14 is provided with a step 15 adjacent the inner edge of its rim portion 14. The step has its outer Vwall 14" substantially parallel with the wall of the container. The diaphragm is also formed to tit snugly into the upper end of the container body and is likewise provided with a ange 12 adapted to overlie the ange 10', formedv on the end of the container -body 10. The outer wall 14" of the step 15 is of such size that it fits within that portion of the diaphragm that ,is snugly fitted into the container top, while the ange 14' of the end member extends over Vthe upper surface and ange 12' of the diaphragm.

The -ange 10 of the container body 10, lthe flange 12 of the diaphragm vand Vthe flange or rirn,14 of the metal end member are rolled together to form a hermetic seal. This type of seam is the conventional manner of sealing the end members of the body of a container. However, if a plastic material such as Mylar is placed between the surfaces of the flanges of the container body and the ange or rim of the metal end member, and if the surface of the container body when the seaming takes place, is not comparatively smooth, Ythere lfrequently occurs-a rupture of the plastic material.

To .avoid this crushing of the plastic material there is adhesively secured over the Isurface rof Athe flanges and part of the side surfaces of the plastic diaphragm, which is to be within the seam pressure area, a coating of elastic plastic material, such as neoprene, latex or other suitable elastic material. This elastic material is very denitely adhered to the surface of the diaphragm. In the drawing the neoprene coating is shown at 16 and 18 on each side of the ange 12' of the diaphragm and extends beyond the seam down the side of the diaphragm as shown at 16 and 18' between the step wall 14" of the end member 14, and the upper portion 10 of the container body opposite the seam proper, to prevent the plastic material from being crushed by the seaming roller 17 when the seaming mechanism is forming the seam. In FIGURE 4, the bag 12 is shown having the elastic coating material 16 and 16 covering only, on one surface of the plastic diaphragm about and adjacent its periphery, which is rolled into the connecting seam between the end member and the container body the same as previously described when the elastic material is applied to both surfaces by the diaphragm.

Many metal container bodies are provided with over lapping side seams 19, which makes an extra thickness in the end seams opposite the side seams. This -is normally the place where much of the rup-turing to the plastic membrane occurs when rolled between the body flange and the rim of the end member.

This particular type of metal container end seam is well known in the art, and is generally referred to as, double seaming, simply because it is done in two operations. Briey, the seam is formed by two different but particularly formeddie rollers. The rst roller (not shown) movesV the rim 14 of the end member over and around the opposite and underside of the ange on Ithe container body. The second roller 17, shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 1, presses against the outer horizontal side of the seam, which in turn presses against the outer wall 14" of the step in the end member 14, which in turn is backed up by a chuck 17' (also shown in dotted lines).

For the purpose of this description the seam proper is vdesignated by the letter S, and extends from S' and includes that portion of the seam that is rolled over the top of the container and downwardly along the top edge of the container wall to the lower outside edge S. While the area of the seam is specifically designated as extending from s' to s, the seam broadly extends beyond S' to the bottom of the step, but because of the particular and specific reference to this section, it is described separately.

Itwill be noted that the elastic material 16 and 18 extends not only in the rolled seam S proper, as shown in FIGURE l, but continues down the sides of the wall of the diaphragm wall to 16" and 18 respectively, substantially as far as the lowest portion 15 of the step. This is to cushion therwall ofthe diaphragm in this area when the seam is rolled on the container by the seam forming mechanism. The diaphragm in this area receives substantially as much pressure as the outer area of the seam and must be protected from crushing when irregularity occurs in the container wall and side seams.

The same general principle is used in the manner of seaming the plastic closure member as is used in seaming the bag in the container. In FIGURES to 8 inclusive 'there is shown in plastic closure member 25 including a flange 25' seamed in the seam P in substantiallythe same manner as shown and described for the bag.

The plastic closure member 25 is also provided with a step 25',' which extends downwardly inside the end of the container to a point 25" substantially equal to the heighth to lthe seam P. The flange 25 and the step portion 25" of the closure member 25 are provided with an elastic material 26 and 28 adhesively secured to both sides of the end closure member diaphragm, in the same manner as it is in the flange of the bag type diaphragm. The metal end member 23 is not a complete closure for the container but constitutes a band which terminates at 23", a short distance from the side of the container and adjacent the seam. The flange 23' of the band member 23 extends over the ange 25 of the plastic closure member which in turn is super-imposed over the ange 10 of the body portion of the container for the purpose of aiding in forming of the seam between the body portion of the container and the diaphragm. As the band extends only about the periphery of the container, it leaves the center C of the plastic diaphragm uncovered. The plastic end closure is preferably transparent in order that the contents of the sealed container may be viewed.

The band 23 is also provided with a step 23"' positioned inwardly from the ilange area 23'. The step extends downwardly to a point .substantially equal to the heighth of the seam P. The wall of the step is substantially parallel -to the side of the container and the portion 25" of the plastic closure member 25. This step is for the purpose of receiving a chuck (not shown) for backing up the seaming rolls during the seaming operation.

As the elastic coating 26 and/or 28 is positioned between the metal container and the metal band member 23 throughout the pressure area of the seam, there is much less chance of crushing the non-elastic plastic material in the bags and the closure member.

In both forms of diaphragms the flange, o-r rim of the metal end member and the ange of the metal container member are rolled together between which is the ilange edge of the plastic diaphragm coated with an elastic material of greater elasticity than the plastic from which the diaphragms are formed.

By this arrangement non-elastic materials used in forming the plastic diaphragms are prevented from being crushed against the irregularities that normally occur in metal container bodies, and this is particularly true when the elastic coating extends down the side wall of the diaphragm to a point substantially equal to the diS- tance of the step either in the metal end member 1.4 or the band member 23.

For the purpose of this patent, elasticity refers to a pliable rubber like material while the non-elastic material from which the diaphragms are constructed are of a material that is practically non-stretchable after they have been formed and are at normal room tempera-ture.

While the specific form of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail it is not intended that it be construed as a limitation as the scope is dened in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A portable pressurized container for automatically discharging materials therefrom, comprising a body portion of rigid bendable material having at least one open end including a rolled ange extending outwardly around its open end, a diaphragm of bendable organic plastic material including a ange positioned within the container of substantially the same diameter as the container body,

the ange on the diaphragm having substantially the same outer peripheral circumference as the outer edge of the ange carried on the end of the body portion of `the container, said diaphragm flange extending outwardly and about the rolled ange of the container body, an elastic coating of greater elasticity than the material from which the diaphragm is constructed adhesively fixed to each side of the ange surface of the diaphragm beginningvat the peripheral outer edge of -the diaphragm auge and extending inwardly from its peripheral edge and over the ange surface of the diaphragm including the entire area under pressure of the seam, a rigid end member including a flange of substantially the same diameter` as vthe diaphragm superimposed on the flange of the diaphragm, the flange of the container body, the elastic coated diaphragm and the periphery of the end portion being pressed together in a flat rolled hermetically sealed double seam in which the :flange of the diaphragm containing the elastic coating extends continuously around both surfaces of the container ilange, the outer edge of the diaphragml ange extending upwardly to the under surface of the upper horizontal portion of the container ange of the double seam, the rolled ange of the diaphragm positioned between the rolled ange of the container body and the rolled periphery of the end member.

2. A portable pressurized container for automatically discharging materials therefrom, comprising a body portion of rigid bendable material haw'ng at least one open end including a rolled iiange extending outwardly around its open end, a diaphragm of bendable organic plastic material including a flange positioned within the container of substantially the same diameter as the container body, the flange on the diaphragm having substantially the same outer peripheral circumference as the outer edge of the flange carried on the end of the body portion of the container, said diaphragm ange extending outwardly and about the rolled flange of the container body, an elastic coating of greater elasticity than the material from which the diaphragm is constructed adhesively xed to at least one side of the ange surface of the diaphragm beginning at the peripheral outer edge of the diaphragm 20 ange and extending inwardly from its peripheral edge and over the ange surface of the diaphragm including the entire area under pressure of the seam, a rigid end member including a flange of substantially the same diameter as the diaphragm superimposed on the ange of the diaphragm, the ange of the container body, the elastic coated diaphragm and the periphery of the end portion being pressed together in a ilat rolled hermetically sealed double seam in which the flange of the diaphragm containing the elastic coating extends continuously around both surfaces of the container ange, the outer edge of the diaphragm ange extending upwardly to the under surface of the upper horizontal portion of the container flange of the double seam, the rolled ilange of the diaphragm positioned between the rolled flange of the container body and the rolled periphery of the end member.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,267,422 Rakowitsky Dec. 23, 1941 2,652,148 Pfeifer Sept. 15, 1953 2,790,577 Freid Apr. 30, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 320,181 Italy Aug. 9, 1934 309,372 Switzerland Aug. 31, 1955 

1. A PORTABLE PRESSURIZED CONTAINER FOR AUTOMATICALLY DISCHARGING MATERIALS THEREFROM, COMPRISING A BODY PORTION OF RIGID BENDABLE MATERIAL HAVING AT LEAST ONE OPEN END INCLUDING A ROLLED FLANGE EXTENDING OUTWARDLY AROUND ITS OPEN END, A DIAPHRAGM OF BENDABLE ORGANIC PLASTIC MATERIAL INCLUDING A FLANGE POSITIONED WITHIN THE CONTAINER OF SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME DIAMETER AS THE CONTAINER BODY, THE FLANGE ON THE DIAPHRAGM HAVING SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME OUTER PERIPHERAL CIRCUMFERENCE AS THE OUTER EDGE OF THE FLANGE CARRIED ON THE END OF THE BODY PORTION OF THE CONTAINER, SAID DIAPHRAGM FLANGE EXTENDING OUTWARDLY AND ABOUT THE ROLLED FLANGE OF THE CONTAINER BODY, AN ELASTIC COATING OF GREATER ELASTICITY THAN THE MATERIAL FROM WHICH THE DIAPHRAGM IS CONSTRUCTED ADHESIVELY FIXED TO EACH SIDE OF THE FLANGE SURFACE OF THE DIAPHRAGM BEGINNING AT THE PERIPHERAL OUTER EDGE OF THE DIAPHRAGM FLANGE AND EXTENDING INWARDLY FROM ITS PERIPHERAL EDGE AND OVER THE FLANGE SURFACE OF THE DIAPHRAGM INCLUDING THE ENTIRE AREA UNDER PRESSURE OF THE SEAM, A RIGID END MEMBER INCLUDING A FLANGE OF SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME DIAMETER AS THE DIAPHRAGM SUPERIMPOSED ON THE FLANGE OF THE DIAPHRAGM, 